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Update: U.S. Horse Slaughter on Hold…for Now

We recently told you that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved applications for horse slaughter inspections at Valley Meat Company LLC in Roswell, New Mexico, and Responsible Transportation in Sigourney, Iowa. The USDA is likely to also grant horse slaughter inspections at Rains Natural Meats plant in Gallatin, Missouri, in the coming days.

This week we learned that no horse slaughter plants will be granted inspections until at least July 29 as a result of a lawsuit filed against the USDA by several animal welfare organizations.

This lawsuit buys critical time for our horses. The Agriculture Appropriations bills, which contain language that would prevent horse slaughter in the U.S., are expected to pass in the coming months. We are seeing building momentum for the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act, which would prevent the slaughter of horses in the U.S., end the current export of American horses for slaughter abroad and protect consumers from unknowingly ingesting toxic horse meat.

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Fortunately, the senators in my state consistently vote in favor of animal rights although my representative is less likely to do so. I don't own a horse and know that it is very expensive to do so and that many owners are struggling. Is there a responsible organization that assists owners in keeping their horses?

As a rancher I know that our US beef prices and industry will be ruined and many ranchers loose their family ranches once horsemeat illegally is mixed with good beef.
There is no way to control toxic horsemeat out the back door of slaughter houses.
Eat beef, not my healthy horses

Chinks have no compassion for animals ... there are no laws to protect them ... the only thing that will put china, south korea, Philippines etc., on and on in check that kill dogs and cats for food will be a outbreak of rabies which I pray for every day or a bomb ... either would work in my eyes

Wild horses are being sold for slaughter because the BLM has decided to get rid of them since they compete for land operated by fracking operations as well as big corporate farms. Recently a horse rescue operation went to a sale in order to hopefully save several. The kill buyers were there and realized what was going on. Usually the killers were able to buy the horses for less than $200. They smirked as they drove the prices up to $1200. The rescuers were unable to buy more than a few. We have had horses for years and a couple were dangerous to the point of not being able to be cared for. We gave one back to the owner who had traded one with us and a man bought the stallion knowing he was a handful, but he said he could handle him. I formerly thought horseslaughter was okay for dangerous horses, but there is no control over that and what has happened and is happening now is unconscionable. Our wild horse and burros have been decimated for the profit of those who shouldn't be in operation (fracking companies). Livestock and horses can live on the same land. Our wild horses shouldn't be run down by helicopters and the mares and foals separated from each other. The BLM says they are moving them, but I have a hard time believing it when so many wind up at the kill sales.

I think our government has lots its mind. You cannot knowingly sell adultereated meat to overseas consumers. Withte EU implementing the mandatory passport system, who do they think i going to buy it? Certainly no one in the US. Not the zoos. We don"t even use it in pet food because of the toxicity.

URGENT: In attempting to lend our weight to this issue by completing and forwarding this letter to our representatives, we need to know what department to choose. We are addressing a complaint against the USDA but this is about Animal Welfare. MAY I ASSUME that I should choose Agriculture from the drop-down list, and not animal welfare, because this is a USDA issue? The letter states that this choice will aid in directing our comments to proper parties?

Horses ... all equine are not food. Stop abusing, transporting them and slaughtering them. they are American treasures. This is so sickening. You get upset when Asian people torture, skin and eat dogs and cats ... well, it isn't any different. Stop horse slaughter once and for all.

My son brought to my attention that on facebook there was an article about poor dogs, cats, cows plus probably other animals, being SKINNED ALIVE & COOKED ALIVE IN BOILING WATER. They do this because, get this, they think it makes the meat taste better ! The pic was of two little doggies, already skinned and in the pot of water, and the one facing the camera had a look of horrific pain, shock, and pleading in those eyes, while trying to climb out of the pot. This is somewhere in Asia. I pray that someone STOPS THIS HORRIBLY INHUMANE TREATMENT. It's bad enough that they eat dogs and cats, but to doubly torture them first, just so they can enjoy a better flavor. My God, I don't see how anyone can do this or do any of the horrible things they do to innocent, loving animals. They are doubly SICK in the head. NO ANIMAL SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO BEING SKINNED & COOKED ALIVE ! ! ! ! ! I still can't get that picture out of my mind. I'm sitting here crying right now as I write this. I'm posting this in hopes that someone can do something about it.